Approved Final TMDLs

Final TMDLs Approved by EPA: Herring Run, Back River

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The Herring Run watershed is a subwatershed of the Back River basin located in Southern Baltimore County and northern Baltimore City, Maryland. The headwaters of Herring Run begin somewhere in the center of Towson in Baltimore County. An unnamed tributary to Herring Run flows through the Country Club of Maryland and continues through Regester Avenue near the Baltimore City line. Once the unnamed tributary flows under Northern Parkway, it connects with the mainstem of Herring Run. The mainstem of Herring Run originates in the region known as Loch Raven near Taylor Avenue and Perring Parkway. Herring Run watershed includes Herring Run, West Herring Run, Chinquapin Run, Moores Run, and Redhouse Run. Herring Run and all its tributaries are non-tidal.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has identified Herring Run in the State’s 2002 303(d) List as impaired by fecal bacteria. Herring Run is designated as a Use IV waterbody (Water Contact Recreation, Protection of Aquatic Life and Natural Trout Waters) [Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.02.08K(5)(c)]. As part of the Back River watershed, Herring Run has also been identified as impaired by nutrients (1996), sediments (1996), and impacts to biological communities (2002). The document, available below, establishes a TMDL for fecal bacteria in Herring Run that will allow for the attainment of the primary contact recreation designated use. The listings for suspended sediments and impacts to biological communities will be addressed separately at a future date. A TMDL for nutrients for the entire Back River watershed (basin number 02130901) was completed in 2004 and approved by EPA on June 29, 2005.

Total Maximum Daily Loads of Fecal Bacteria for the Herring Run Basin in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Maryland